June temperatures drive footfall up

Retail footfall rose 0.8% in June, up from a fall of 2.8% on the same month last year and ahead of the three-month average of 0.5%.

Sizzling temperatures during the month encouraged consumers onto the high street, producing a footfall rise 0.9% against a fall of 3.7% a year ago.

Retail parks also benefited from the warm weather – footfall grew by 2.3%, compared to a 1.0% decline in June 2016, but shopping centres suffered a drop of 0.8% on the -2.3% recorded in the previous year.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief-Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said most parts of the UK benefited, with the East of England especially witnessing brisk growth. But she warned of testing times ahead.

“Amidst economic uncertainty and mounting concern over the inflationary squeeze on household incomes, sustaining growth in shopper footfall will be challenging, more so as retailers seek to convert that into an improved performance at tills.

“And while they step up their efforts to keep prices down for their customers against rising input prices and inflation, the Government can help alleviate the cost pressures in the immediate term by sticking to their commitment on business rates reform to deliver a system fit for purpose in the 21st century.”